JAM: February/March 2003 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

Dean Hampton

Advertising KC Jazz on the Road

Last October, I suggested that the Jazz Ambassadors, the American Jazz Museum, and interested clubs and venues get the message out about our great treasure: KC jazz. One suggestion was for billboards and highway signs coming in from the airport and on I-70 and I-35 on the KC-bound lanes. On a recent return trip from mid-Kansas, I made a list of attractions that either had billboards or highway signs advertising their presence. Here are just a few that are attracting people's time and money... instead of KC jazz!

Custer's Home, First Territorial Capital of Kansas, Polka Festival in Paxico, KS, Heartland Park Race Track, Air Combat Museum, Topeka Zoo, Rain Forest, Topeka Performing Arts Center.

But again, not a word about Kansas City jazz.

It is very easy to say that entertainment dollars are spread too thin. (Add to the above, the NASCAR track, the Woodlands, and the casinos.) But our problem isn't that we can't draw. It is that we as a jazz community are failing to compete!

In-Store Pick-up from Amazon.com
While I prefer to purchase CDs locally (and from "mom and pop stores" whenever I can), sometimes that is not possible, especially if I am in a hurry to get a specific recording (which I usually am). If you buy online, which I seem to do more and more, you can sometimes get your CD the same day via amazon.com's new "Need it today?" feature. When you find the music you're looking for at amazon.com, simply enter your five-digit zip code into the appropriate block and click the "Choose a store" button. (Caution: Do not enter the "+4" portion of your zip. It does not understand those digits.) You will be given a list of stores in your area where you can reserve a copy and go pick it up that day.

Dizzy's Last at jazzkc.org
Dizzy Gillespie's final concert is now online for your viewing and listening pleasure. Please join us on our web site (www.jazzkc.org) for Dizzy's last performance at a cost of only $5.99. Whether you have a high speed Internet connection or dial-up, you will get this concert with high quality video and sound (depending on your computer). And a portion of the proceeds will go to the KC Jazz Ambassadors.

Bobby's "Tailor Made"
Jazz Ambassador member, Yoko Takemura in Tokyo, Japan recently sent me a copy of a CD titled Bobby Watson: Tailor Made. It features Watson playing with The Leader's Big Band in Tokyo. Customarily, for a CD to be reviewed in JAM's "For the Record," the recording must be commercially available in local stores. This one is not and probably won't be. There are limited copies remaining and distribution is out of Japan. We are, however, trying to arrange for you to purchase one of the few remaining copies online in the near future.

Without going into a full review, Tailor Made is one of the best big band recordings I have ever heard. Bobby recently commented to me, "I am glad that you dig the recording. I am very proud of that one. It came out a few years ago, but never really got any stateside distribution or notice. It was released on Red (records) and I have not seen it in the States at all! Maybe it can happen one day."

Look for MP3 sound clips on webjazz.net soon along with purchasing information.

KCJA Farewells
It is sad that I must report the losses in early January of two valued Jazz Ambassadors -- Bill Cox and Syd Alleyne. Both were very active in the KCJA and both gave generously of their time and support to the Kansas City jazz community. We will miss their efforts and their friendship, and our deepest sympathy goes out to their families.






	Search our site:		Dean Hampton Advertising KC Jazz on the Road Last October, I suggested that the Jazz Ambassadors, the American Jazz Museum, and interested clubs and venues get the message out about our great treasure: KC jazz. One suggestion was for billboards and highway signs coming in from the airport and on I-70 and I-35 on the KC-bound lanes. On a recent return trip from mid-Kansas, I made a list of attractions that either had billboards or highway signs advertising their presence. Here are just a few that are attracting people's time and money... instead of KC jazz! Custer's Home, First Territorial Capital of Kansas, Polka Festival in Paxico, KS, Heartland Park Race Track, Air Combat Museum, Topeka Zoo, Rain Forest, Topeka Performing Arts Center. But again, not a word about Kansas City jazz. It is very easy to say that entertainment dollars are spread too thin. (Add to the above, the NASCAR track, the Woodlands, and the casinos.) But our problem isn't that we can't draw. It is that we as a jazz community are failing to compete! In-Store Pick-up from Amazon.com While I prefer to purchase CDs locally (and from "mom and pop stores" whenever I can), sometimes that is not possible, especially if I am in a hurry to get a specific recording (which I usually am). If you buy online, which I seem to do more and more, you can sometimes get your CD the same day via amazon.com's new "Need it today?" feature. When you find the music you're looking for at amazon.com, simply enter your five-digit zip code into the appropriate block and click the "Choose a store" button. (Caution: Do not enter the "+4" portion of your zip. It does not understand those digits.) You will be given a list of stores in your area where you can reserve a copy and go pick it up that day. Dizzy's Last at jazzkc.org Dizzy Gillespie's final concert is now online for your viewing and listening pleasure. Please join us on our web site (www.jazzkc.org) for Dizzy's last performance at a cost of only $5.99. Whether you have a high speed Internet connection or dial-up, you will get this concert with high quality video and sound (depending on your computer). And a portion of the proceeds will go to the KC Jazz Ambassadors. Bobby's "Tailor Made" Jazz Ambassador member, Yoko Takemura in Tokyo, Japan recently sent me a copy of a CD titled Bobby Watson: Tailor Made. It features Watson playing with The Leader's Big Band in Tokyo. Customarily, for a CD to be reviewed in JAM's "For the Record," the recording must be commercially available in local stores. This one is not and probably won't be. There are limited copies remaining and distribution is out of Japan. We are, however, trying to arrange for you to purchase one of the few remaining copies online in the near future. Without going into a full review, Tailor Made is one of the best big band recordings I have ever heard. Bobby recently commented to me, "I am glad that you dig the recording. I am very proud of that one. It came out a few years ago, but never really got any stateside distribution or notice. It was released on Red (records) and I have not seen it in the States at all! Maybe it can happen one day." Look for MP3 sound clips on webjazz.net soon along with purchasing information. KCJA Farewells It is sad that I must report the losses in early January of two valued Jazz Ambassadors -- Bill Cox and Syd Alleyne. Both were very active in the KCJA and both gave generously of their time and support to the Kansas City jazz community. We will miss their efforts and their friendship, and our deepest sympathy goes out to their families. Dean Hampton has been the KCJA's Director of Publications since 1990. RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 2003 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2003. All rights reserved.